Oregon Food Bank Network Distributed 73 Million Pounds of Food in 2016

But demand keeps rising, probably due to widespread rent increases.

Pork & Beans (Best & Worst Ever)
By Nigel Jaquiss

73 million.

That's how many pounds of food the Oregon Food Bank Network distributed to 21 regional food banks in Oregon and Clark County, Wash., in 2015-16, up from 68 million the year before.

And while giving has increased, so has need. The food bank served an average of 290,000 people per month in 2015-16 and 2014-15. The food bank says it's serving the same number of people, but it's serving them repeatedly, probably due to widespread rent increases.

"We are serving the same people more frequently," says spokeswoman Myrna Jensen. "It used to be that a person would seek help a couple of times a year, but now we are seeing people visit more often."

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